Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellites in Iris ensata (Iridaceae)

Premise of the study: Microsatellite primers were developed in Iris ensata (Iridaceae) to provide polymorphic markers for further studies into population genetics. Methods and Results: Thirteen polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated from I. ensata. These loci were successfully amplified in two natural populations of I. ensata from eastern China (Longwangshan, Zhejiang Province) and northeastern China (Jinchuan, Jilin Province). There was no significant linkage disequilibrium found for any pair of loci. These loci contained between two and 12 alleles per locus across all 48 individuals of I. ensata. The number of alleles per locus varied from two to 10 at the population level and the observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.167 to 0.958 and from 0.284 to 0.853, respectively. Conclusions: These loci showed high levels of polymorphism and could be used to study the population genetic structure, genetic relationships, and phylogeography of I. ensata.